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BEIJING, March 5-- Despite increasing downward pressure on its economy, China is assuring the world of its firm resolution in the pursuit of green development with concrete and self-motivated efforts. For China, green development is a critical element of modernizing its economy. The country sticks to a new development vision that features innovative, coordinated, green and open development for the benefit of all. It is not at the request of others, but on the country's own initiative. With a large population, China is facing increasing resource constraints, severe environmental pollution and a deteriorating ecosystem. People are becoming increasingly aware of environmental problems. The country's leadership has made it clear that China must win the battle to ensure blue skies and clean water and soil. The battle will not be won easily. Facing a complicated and challenging domestic and international environment of a kind rarely seen in many years, China has two options: lowering standards of environmental protection in launching new projects to stimulate growth; finding fundamental solutions to address pollution and build an ecological civilization that will benefit generations to come. China's choice and actions reassure those who may doubt its seriousness about green development. When China says it "puts ecological protection first," it is not just lip service. | 
